Door lock



June 1961 c. F. KRAMER 2,987,336

DOOR LOCK Filed Feb. 25, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I /7 6 OEKRAMER INVENTOR.

FIG-3 BY ATTORNEYS June 6, 1961 c. F. KRAMER 2,987,336

DOOR LOCK Filed Feb. 25, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 24 F/G.5b

F/Gi

C. E KRAMER INVENTOR.

f0. BY Hm 2,987,336 DOOR LOCK Clarence F. Kramer, Birmingham, Mlch., assignor to Ford Motor Company, Dem-born, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Bled Feb. 25, 1958, Ser. No. 717,510

20 Claims. (Cl. 292-52) This invention relates to latch mechanism for swinging doors, particularly the doors of automobile or other vehicle bodies.

Despite the almost universal adoption by motor vehicle manufacturers, at least in the United States, of the rotary bolt type latch mechanisms, particularly for use on passenger vehicles, it is still the opinion of many engineers and designers that such latch mechanisms of the rotary bolt type do not meet all the necessary requirements of an ideal latch mechanism. More particularly, rotary bolt latch mechanisms have certain inherent disadvantages from the standpoint of latching efiiciency, safety and cost.

The disadvantage from a latching efficiency standpoint may be made readily apparent. The so-called rotary bolt is actually a gear having four, five or six teeth adapted to engage a keeper device having a rack portion usually comprising one or two teeth. At the most, never more than two bolt teeth are in engagement with the rack tooth or teeth. The remaining teeth on the bolt are inoperative and remain so unless the bolt is turned to a new position rendering the formerly operative teeth inoperative. Yet the necessity of having a plurality of teeth renders each individual tooth astructurally weaker member, particularly since the diameter. of a gear type bolt must be kept reasonably small. Since the meshing bolt and keeper teeth are only efiective to maintain the vehicle door against outward swinging movement, one of a variety of known take-up means must be provided to hold the door against vibratory movements in a vertical plane. Otherwise, the door will rattle as the vehicle is driven over rough roads. However, accurate positioning of the striker or keeper on the body pillar relative to the line of travel of the bolt is required since the range of eifectiveness of the take-up means is generally very limited. Hard usage of the vehicle means that the striker or keeper must frequently be repositioned to retain its efficiency.

Provision must also be made to prevent lateral separation of the latch bolt and keeper, as has a tendency to occur when a vehicle is involved in a collision or the like. The provision of a safety interlock and take-up means has resulted in the evolution of a complicated but still relatively ineflicient striker or keeper device, the cost of which when added to the cost of the latch mechanism results in an expensive package.

It is an object of the present invention to present improvements in a type of latch mechanism adapted to be used with a simple and inexpensive striker or keeper device, the latter basically comprising a horizontally extending pin projecting from the body pillar or other fixed frame member and adapted to be tightly gripped between a pair of pivotally mounted latch devices or jaw elements swingable into and out of pin gripping position. Latch mechanisms of this general type are well known in the prior art, particularly with respect to gate latching mech; anisms. However, the adaptation of the principle of operation to a latch mechanism able to satisfy all the requirements which must be met for use on a vehicle body is not present in the prior art.

In its preferred embodiment, the latch mechanism embodying the present invention comprises a supporthaving a main plate portion for disposition at the free edge wall of the swinging door. A pair of latch devices are pivotally mounted on the plate portion. The latch devices States Patent Patented June 6, 1961 are swingable toward and from each other about spaced axes which are perpendicular to the plane of the plate portion. An important feature of the present invention is that the latch devices are interlocked, preferably through intermeshing gear teeth, for movements in unison to and from door unlatched and door latched positions. A detent means engageable with at least one of said latch devices is provided for holding the latch devices in door latched position. Outer manually operable means adapted to be operated by an outside operator as well as inner manually operable means operable through the conventional remote control device are provided for disengaging the detent means from the latch device. The improved latch mechanism also includes a blocking means which may be constructed and arranged to render only the outer manually operable means ineffective to disengage the detent means or to render both the outer and inner manually operable means simultaneously ineffective.

The latch devices employed in the present latch mechanism comprise jaw members or elements adapted in door latched position to grip a striker or keeper member therebetween. The span between the jaw members or elements in gripping position is slightly less than the span of the striker or keeper device in the area of engagement by the jaw members or elements. The present invention provides means resiliently mounting at least one of the coacting jaw or keeper members to accommodate the difference in engaging and engaged spans, the resilient means causing a tight gripping action to be maintained at all times. Provision is made on the striker or keeper device for a simple and highly effective means to prevent lateral disengagement of the latch and striker or keeper devices.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation, in part sectional, looking at the mechanism of the latch mechanism from the inner side thereof;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially through line 2-2 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially through line 33 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows but adding thereto a sectional portion of the striker or keeper device to illustrate the coaction between the latch mechanism and striker or keeper device;

FIG; 4 is a fragmentary view in part similar to FIG. 2 illustrating a modification thereof;

FIGS. 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d are views semi-diagrammatically illustrating various cooperative positions of the latch devices in relation to the pin of the striker or keeper device; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view in part similar to FIG. 3 illustrating a further embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings there are illustrated, by way of example, certain embodiments of the present invention as applied to the doors and door frame structures of an automobile body. Adapted to be secured, as by means of screws, to the inner side of the free edge wall of a vehicle door is a case plate 11 having a flange 12 which is adapted to be positioned along the inner panel of the door. The present latch mechanism is provided with a pair of pivoted latch devices comprising latch plates or jaw elements 13 (see FIGS. 3 and 5) positioned at the outer face of the case plate or jaw element 11. As best seen in FIG. 3, each latch plate 13 is provided with an integral stud shaft or pivot 14 provided with a reduced bearing portion 16 extending through an aperture in the case plate, the aperture being provided with a flanged edge 17 providing bearing support for the bearing portion 16. In FIG. 3 a washer 18 is shown interposed between the case plate 11 and the main body portion of the stud shaft 14. The inner reduced end .or bearing portion 16 of the stud shaft is provided with longitudinally extending flats 19 thereon. Fitted over the reduced end or bearing portion 16 and keyed thereto by the flats 19 are a pair of control plates 21 and 22, respectively. From the foregoing construction it will be seen that each latch plate or jaw element 13 is rigidly secured to a control plate 21' and 22, respectively, being concentric therewith on a stud shaft 14.

Each latch plate or jaw element 13 comprises a substantially triangular plate member with its pivot axis located near the apex end. The base or side 23 opposite the apex end is outwardly rounded and is provided in the center thereof with a semi-circular recess or enlarged notch 24, for a purpose to be hereinafter explained.

Each control plate is a gear sector having intermeshed teeth 26. Thus, both latch plates or jaw elements 13 are controlled for movement in unison in counter- 'directions of swinging movement toward and from each other into and out of door latched condition, as will be better understood as the description proceeds. In the present embodiment a single spiral spring 27 is disposed substantially coaxially or concentric with and adjacent the inner face of the control plate 21. The spring 27 has its inner end operatively connected to the stud shaft 14 carrying the control plate 21 through a cup washer 28 provided with a diagonal slot or ken 29. The outer or free end 31 of the spring 27 is looped around a rivet or stud 32 secured to the case plate 11 near the upper edge thereof. As the spring 27 is installed in a wound-up or preloaded condition it, at all times, tends to rotate the control plate 21 and the shaft 14 and latch plate or jaw element 13 associated therewith in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1. is coupled to the control plate 21 through the gear teeth 26, the rotative force exerted by the spring 27 on the plate 21 is transmitted to the plate 22 so that it, at all times, is under a force tending to rotate it and the shaft 14 and latch plate or jaw element 13 associated therewith in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1.

The control plate 21 is provided with two peripherally spaced abutments or ratchet teeth 33 and 34, respectively. Cooperable with the abutment tor ratchet toothed edge Since the control plate 22 ber 36 in a clockwise direction, as seen in FIG. 1.

the case plate 11. Upon the release lever 42 being swung in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 1, the lug 44 will abut the edge 46 of the depending arm 41 of the detent causing the latter to be swung in a counterclockwise direction whereby the end of the arm 38 will be swung out of the path of the abutment or teeth 33 and 34 on the control plate 21. The spring 27 will then be effective to drive the latch plates or jaw'elements 13 to their door unlatched position.

The detent release lever 42 is provided along its upper edge with a flange 47. The flange 47 is adapted to be engaged by an outside manually operable means, such as a push button (not shown) for imparting pivotal or swinging movement to the lever 42 about its pivot'43. The release lever 42 is also provided with an arm 48 extending in a substantially horizontal direction toward the flange 12 and swingable in a plane above the plane of the detent arm 39.

The detent arm 39 is yieldingly urged toward the control plate 21 and the release lever 42 is similarly urged toward its normal position seen in FIG. 1 by means of a single coil spring 49 having two upwardly extending arms 51 and 52. The coiled center portion of the spring 49 is wrapped around the pivot stud or shoulder rivet-43 pivotally mounting the detent 36 on the case plate 12. The upper end of the spring arm 51 is hooked into a notch 53 on the upper end of the release lever 42 and urges the release lever outwardly or in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 1. The upper end of the spring arm 52 is hooked into a notch 54 in the detent arm 38 and urges this arm and, therefore, the whole detent mem- Thus, a single spring 49 is utilized to maintain the detent and release lever in their normal positions.

7 It will be noted that the release lever 42 is urged outwardly or in a counterclockwise, direction as viewed in FIG. 1, to a position governed by a stop 56 which may be in the form of a shoulder rivet covered by a suitable bumper or resilient rubber washer.

The present latch mechanism is preferably operated from the inside of the door through the medium of a remote control mechanism comprising a longitudinally shiftable draft link 57 which is pivotally connected at v "58 to the upper end of one arm 59 of a bell crank lever of the control plate 21 is a swinging detent, pawl or dog 36 pivotally mounted on a shoulder rivet 37 secured to the case plate 11. The detent 36eis a multj-arm member having one arm 38 extending in a substantially upward direction and cooperable with'the teeth or abutments 33 and 34 on the control plate 21. When. the arm 38 is engaged with the abutment 33, the latch plates or jaw elements 13 will be in a safety latched position. When the arm 38 is engaged with abutment 34, as shown in FIG. 1, the latch plate or jaw element 13'will be in final .61. This lever is pivoted on the shank of a shoulder rivet 62 secured to the case plate flange. The bell crank lever 61 is provided with a depending arm 63 having a hook- .like extension 64. The function of the hook-like extension will become apparent with respect to an embodiment to be hereinafter explained Also pivoted on the shoulder rivet '62 and interposed between the case plate flange 12 and the bell crank lever 61 is a second 'bell crank lever latched position, as will be more fully explained. A'sec- I .ond arm 39 of the detent 36 extends in a substantially horizontal direction toward the flange 12 and athirdarm 41 extends in a direction substantially opposite to that of detent actuating or release lever 42 which is pivoted at its lower endupon a shoulder rivet or stud'43. The

7 release lever 42 extends from the lower to substantially the upper edge of the case plate 11, substantially concealring the detent 36. It will'be'noted that the detent arms 39" 41 are raised from the case plate 11 so that they may swing in a; plane above the plane ofthe control plates 21 and 22. The release lever 42 is' provided with a lug 44at one edgethereohthe lug being-turned toward 66 having a substantially vertically depending arm 67 and a substantially horizontally extending arm-68. The arm 67 is provided at its free end with a flange 69 adapted to be abutted by the inner edge 71 of the bell crank lever arm 61 when the latter is swung in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 2. The free end of the bell crank lever arm 68 is bifurcated at 72 to receive the end of the detent arm 39, whereby the two are interlocked for movements in unison. In accordance with the present embodiment of the invention means is providedfor restraining or blocking the detent release lever 42 against operation from the outside of the door. Pivoted to the case plate flange 12 near its lower end is a third bellcrank lever 73' having two main arm portions 74 and 76 extending upwardly and downwardly, respectively. 'The bell crank lever 73 is pivoted on a suitable shoulder stud 7-8. The upwardly extending arm 74 is provided with an outwardly" turned flange 79 adapted to act as a detent releaselever blocking means. When in the position-shown in' FIG.v 2,. the

flange or blockingport-ion 79 lies 'ac-ross the path of movement of the detent release leverarm 48'' thereby preventing the release lever 42 from being-swungin a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1. When so blocked the detent release lever is rendered inefiective to disengage the detent means from the control plate 21.

The bell crank lever arm 74 is provided with a substantially horizontally extending appendage 81 having a flange 82 thereon. When the bell crank lever 73 is in its FIG. 2 position, the flange .82 lies in abutting relation to the lateral edge of the flange 69 on the arm 67 of the second bell crank lever 66. Through this abutting relationship the bell crank lever 73 may be swung from its blocking position, as shown in FIG. 2, in a counterclockwise direction to a non-blocking position in one of two ways. First, if the bell crank lever 61 is swung in a clockwise direction through actuation of the remote control mechanism, the edge 71 of the arm 63 will abut the flange 69 causing the bell crank lever 66 to be swung in a clockwise direction. The arm 68 will be raised upwardly lifting the detent arm 39 with it. Simultaneously, the flange 69 will abut the flange 81 causing the third bell crank lever 73 to be swung in a counterclockwise direction to non-blocking position.

The other way in which the blocking lever 73 may be swung to non-blocking position occurs when it is placed in blocking position, as shown in FIG. 2 when the latch mechanism parts are in unlatched position. As the control plates 21 and 22 are rotated from an unlatched to a latched position, that is, in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1, the abutments 33 and 34 force the detent arm 38 outwardly whereupon the arm 39 is swung up wardly. Because the free end of the arm 39 is interlocked with the bell crank lever arm 68, the bell crank lever 66 will be swung in a clockwise direction causing its flange 69 to abut the flange 82 of the blocking lever 73 thereby to swing said blocking lever 73 into nonblocking position.

The blocking lever 73 is adapted to be swung from non-blocking position into blocking position in the conventional manner either from the inside or the outside of the vehicle door. The lower end of the bell crank arm 76 is provided with a substantially horizontally extending appendage 83 having an aperture 84 therein adapted to receive one end of a conventional inside operator, such as a rod (not shown) having an access button located on the inner side of the door panel in an accessible location. The appendage 83 is also provided with an aperture 86 adapted to receive the free end of a bell crank lever (not shown). The case plate flange 12 is embossed at 87 and provided with an aperture 88 for receiving the rivet mounting the bell crank lever thereon. The bell crank lever is adapted to be swung bya conventional key operated mechanism, in a manner that is well known in the art.

The blocking lever 73 is yieldingly held and urge toward its limits of movement by means of a snapover spring 89 of suitable strength attached at one end to the blocking lever 73 and at its other end to the case plate flange 12. The limit of movement in a counterclockwise direction is defined by the edge 91 of the embossment 87 which lies in the same plane as the arm 76 in this area. The limit of movement in a clockwise direction is determined by a stop 92 at the upper edge of the case plate flange 12. This stop limits the counterclockwise movement of the bell crank lever 61 and, therefore, the clockwise movement of the blocking lever 73 because of the relationship of the abutting flanges on the levers 66 and 73, as shown in FIG. 2.

Referring briefly to FIG. 4, there is illustrated the manner in which the present latch mechanism may be made to function to render both the inside and outside operators inoperative to release the detent from the control plate 21. It is only necessary to change the bell crank lever 73, substituting therefor the bell crank lever 93. The bell crank or blocking lever 93 is provided with an upwardly extending arm 94 having a blocking flange 96 thereon. This corresponds tp, lever arm 73 with its locking flange 79 of the previously described embodi ment. The blocking lever 93 is provided with a depend-v ing arm 97 having an aperture 98 adapted to receive the conventional control rod (not shown) for swinging the blocking lever into and out of blocking position. The blocking lever 93 is also provided with a horizontal arm 99 having a flanged end portion 101. The flanged end portion is adapted in blocking position to lie in the path of the previously mentioned hook-like extension 64. The bell crank lever 61 is thus blocked against movement sufficient to cause disengagement of the detent through the bell crank lever 66.

The blocking lever 93 is not provided with any arm appendage corresponding to the appendage 81 on the lever 73. Accordingly, the mechanism may be placed in latched locked condition with the vehicle door open and will remain in that condition upon the door being swung shut. The independent movement of the detent 36 cannot be transmitted through the bell crank lever 66 to the bell crank lever 93 because of the missing link, that is, an appendage corresponding to the appendage 83.

No provision is made for swinging the lever 93 through a crank operated by a key operated mechanism.

In non-blocking position, the blocking flange 101 lies above the path of movement of the operative end of the hook-like portion 64, as will be readily understood.

The-above defined features as outlined with respect to the FIG. 4 embodiment are particularly adapted for use on the rear doors of automobiles.

In the present embodiments of the invention, the latch plates or jaw elements '13 coact, in holding the vehicle door in door latched condition, with a striker or keeper device, generally designated 102, which is adapted to be mounted on the jamb edge 103 of a body pillar or fixed upright member of the door frame, being secured thereto by means of screws 104. Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 5, the latch plates or jaw elements 13 are illustrated as being substantially enclosed in a housing 105 which is cut away sufliciently to provide the necessary clearances for the relatively movable parts. The housing 105 provides an outboard bearing support for the latch device shaft portions 14. Each shaft portion is axially bored at 106 to receive a wear button 107, the head portion of which peripherally engages the edge wall of a complementary aperture 108 in the front face 109 of the housing 105.

The striker device 102 comprises a substantially flat mounting plate 111, the outline of which is shown in dot and dash lines in FIG. 5a. Extending in a direction normal to the surface of the plate 111 is a shoulder pin 112 having a reduced portion 113 projecting through and beyond the inner side of the plate. The pin 112 is provided with an enlarged head portion 116.

Between the head portion 116 and the outer surface of the-plate 112, the pin 112 carries a rubber sleeve or bushing 117. Encompassing the bushing 117 is a metal sleeve 118 which is longitudinally split at 119. The sleeve 118 is made of material having suitable resilient characteristics, for a reason to be explained. A suitable indexing or locating lug 121 is provided to ensure the proper location of the split side of the sleeve 118. After the mounting of the pin 112 and itstwo sleeves 117 and 11-8 on the plate 111, the projecting end portion 113 is riveted or peened over at 122 to permanently retain the assembly together.

The coaction between the latch plates or jaw elements 13 and the striker or keeper device 102 may be best understood with reference to FIGS. 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d. First, it should be explained that the centerline passing through the pivot axes of both latch plates or jaw elements 13 appears at an angle to the vertical edges of the case plate 11. It will be readily understood that the case plate is generally positioned parallel to the side panels of the vehicle door at the place of mounting. However, in this position the case plate edges very rarely are parallel to the hinge axis of the door. Thus, the

latch mechanism must be constructed and arranged so that the line through the latch plate or jaw element pivot axes parallels the hinge axis. The line of action of the relative movement of the latch plate or jaw elements 13 and striker device is in a direction normal to the line through said pivot axes.

Referring now to FIG. a, the latch plates or jaw elements 13 are illustrated as firmly gripping the outer sleeve 118 on the striker or keeper device pin 112. The normal free diameter of the sleeve 118 is greater than the distance between diametrically opposite sleeve engaging points on the latch plates or jaw elements 13. As a result, in door latched position as shown in FIG. 5a, the sleeve 118 is'slightly compressed, ensuring that the vehicle door is tightly held against movement in an up and down direction. It will be noted that in the door latched position (see FIG. 5a) the center or the striker or keeper device pin 112 lies substantially on a line passing through the pivot axes of the two latch plates 13. Or, if a line passing through the center of curvature of each recess 24 and the pivot axis of each jaw element 13 is considered as coinciding with'the longitudinal axis of the respective jaw element, then said jaw element longitudinal axes are substantially in alignment with each other in doorlatched position and pass through the center of the pin .112.

When the latch plates or jaw elements 13 are in their FIG. 5a position, the pawl arm 38 is in abutting relation to the control plate abutment 34. In a safety latched position, the pawl arm 38 would be in abutting relation to the control plate abutment 33 and the latch plates or jaw elements would appear as in FIG. 5b. In this position, the striker or keeper pin 112 and its sleeve portion 118 are sufiiciently encompassed by the latch plates or jaw elements 13 to hold the door in latched condition but not against vertical vibratory movement.

In FIG. 50, the latch plates or jaw elements 13 are shown in unlatched position and just prior to their engagement with the striker or keeper device pin 112 and associated sleeve 118. Ideally, the line of approach to the striker or keeper pin perpendicularly bisects the distance between the latch plate or jaw element'pivot axes. However, even with a condition of misalignment as indicated in FIG. 5c, the latch devices will be fully operative to latch the door. Upon engagement of the upper latch plate or jaw element 13 with the striker or keeper pin, the camming effect created will cause the door to be raised until the safety latched position of FIG. 5b is reached. Even though only the upper latch plate or jaw element 13 may actually be in engagement with the pin 112 during the initial stages of latching, the interlocked relationship of the control plates 21 and 23 ensures that swinging movement of the upper latch plate or jaw element 13 is transmitted in proper timed relation to the lower latch plate or jaw element 13 so that both latch plates or jaw elements are in the same angular position relation to the line through their pivot axes. In the latched position, FIG. 5a, the pin 112 will be'fully engaged top and bottom by both latch plates or jaw elements 13. a 7

FIG. 5d illustrates a momentary condition which may exist as the vehicle door'compresses the door seals upon being closed. The latch plates or jaw elements '13 will momentarily overtravel the striker or keeper pin 112. In order to control this overtravel, the latch plate hous 'ing 104 has mounted therein a hard rubber cushion or bumper 123 adapted to be abutted by the corner portions 124 of the latch plates or jaw elements as they swing past their normal latched position. This overtravel =or slam-through occurs easily and efiicientlybecause of the aligned relationship of the centers of the latch -plates-13 and thecenterof the pin 112-at the moment the latter passes through the position his to occupy in normal latched position of the door, i.e.,' the FIG. 5a

There no component-of force acting outwardly on the pin 112; tending to unyieldably and metallically block its inwardgtravelf There is no interference between the base or end su-rfa ces 23 of the latch plates 13 since, as described above, they are rounded and are sufiiciently spaced from eachother to provide necessary end clearance to accommodate such overtravel or slam-through. The follow-through of the latch plates 13 is important in that it ensures the control plate 21 will be. rotated sufiiciently in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1 to permit the upper end of the pawl 38 to drop in behind the control plate abutment 34 to hold the door in fully latchedposition. The action of the rubber bumper as -well as the action of the compressed door seals quickly tends to throw the door outwardly -to its normal latched position and to coact with the pawl and control plate relationship to satisfactorily maintain it there.

In FIG.-6"there is illustrated a further embodiment of the present invention affecting both the latch mechanism and striker or keeper device. In this embodiment each latch device comprises a latch plate or jaw element 126 mounted on a shaft 127 which also carries at the inner side of the case plate 128 a control plate 21 or 22. The latch plates or jaw elements 126 are urged toward unlatched position by coil springs 129 wrapped around the shafts 127 and operatively connected to the case plate 11 at one end and to each latch plate or jaw element 126 at the other end in the manner indicated at 131. The shafts 127 are journalled in the case plate 11 in a rubber mounted bushing 132 and in the housing 133 in a rubber mounted bushing 134.

As in the previously described embodiment, the striker or keeper device, herein generally designated 136, is provided with a pin 137 having an enlarged head portion 138. The pin carries a spacer sleeve 139 extending between its head portion 138 and the case plate 128. The spacer sleeve carries a rubber bushing 141 which in turn is covered by a cylindrical sleeve 142. But the sleeve 142 is not split as'was the sleeve 118. Instead, the resiliently mounted bushings 132 and 134 are intended to permit the necessary movement of the latch plates or jaw elements to accommodate the diiference in their gripping span and the span or external diameter of the pin sleeve 142 whereby the latch plates or jaw elements tightly grip the pin sleeve and maintain the latched door in latched condition and against movement in an up and down direction. s

In both striker devices, the enlarged head portions 116 and 138 are effective to prevent disengagement of the latch devices from the striker or keeper pins in a direction longitudinally of the pins, as will be readily apparent. This simple protective feature is invaluable in preventing the vehicle door from being pulled away from its surrounding frame in the event the vehicle is involved in a collision or is upset. V

It will be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact construction shown and described, but that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is: r

l. In-a'latc'h mechanism for a swinging door, a support having a main plate portion for disposition at the free edge wall of the door; a pair of latch devices pivotally mounted on said plate portion 'for swinging movement about spaced axes perpendicular to the plane thereof, each latch device comprising a jaw element positioned adjacent one face of said plate portion, a control plate positioned adjacent the other face 'of said plate portion, and a pivot means passing through said plate portion and fixedly coupling said jaw element to' said control 131316,!1163115 interlocking said latch'devices for move ments in unison between door unlatched and door'latched positions and 'vice-versa, said jaw elements being adapted in door latched position to grip akeep'er element therebetween, the gripping span of said jaw elements being slightly less than the keeper element span at the area of engagement, the longitudinal axes of said jaw elements when in door latched position lying substantially on a line passing through said spaced axes, means yieldingly supporting at least one of said elements to accommodate the difference between the respective spans thereof, detent means pivotally mounted on said plate portion and engageable with one of said control plates for holding both latch devices in door latched position, outer manually operable means mounted on said plate portion for pivotally actuating said detent means to disengage the same from said one control plate to permit movement of both latch devices to door unlatched position, blocking means mounted on said support positionable to block actuation of said outer manually operable means, and manually operable means on said support for moving said blocking means into and out of blocking position with respect to said outer manually operable means.

2. In a latch mechanism for a swinging door, a support having a main plate portion for disposition at the free edge wall of the door, a pair of latch devices pivotally mounted on said plate portion for swinging movement about spaced axes perpendicular to the plane thereof, each latch device comprising a jaw element positioned adjacent one face of said plate portion, a control plate positioned adjacent the other face of said plate portion, and a pivot means passing through said plate portion and fixedly coupling said jaw element to said control plate, means interlocking the control plates to provide for movement of said latch devices in unison from door unlatched to door latched position and vice versa, said jaw elements when said latch devices are in door latched position being adapted to grip a keeper member therebetween, the longitudinal axes of said jaw elements when in' door latched position lyingsubstantially on a line passing through said spaced axes, the span between said jaw elements in gripping position being slightly less than the normal striker keeper member span at the area of engagement, means permitting compression of said keeper .device member to accommodate the jaw elements whereby the latter will maintain tight gripping engagement therewith in door latched position, detent means pivotally mounted on said plate portion and engageable with one of said'latch devices for holding both latch devices in door latchedposition, outer manually operable means mounted on said plate portion for pivotally actuating said detent means to disengage the same from said one latch device to permit movement of both latch devices to .door unlatched position,.blocking means mounted on said support positionable to block actuation of said outer manually operable means, and manually operable means on' said support for moving said blocking means into and out of blocking position with respect to said outer manually operable means.

3. In a latch mechanism for a swinging door, a support having a main plate portion for disposition at the free edge wail of the door, a pair of jaw elements pivotally mounted on one side of said plate portion for swinging movement about spaced axes perpendicular to the plane thereof, a pair of control members mounted on the opposite side of said plateportion, each control member being fixedly coupled to one of said jaw elements for pivotal movement therewith, said control members having intermeshed portions whereby said jaw elements are controlled for movement in unison toward and from each other to door latched and door unlatched positions, respectively, the longitudinal axes of said jaw elements when in door latched position lying substantially on a line passing through said spaced axes,at least one of said control members being provided with'detent engageable portions, detent means pivotally mounted on said plate portion and engageable with said detent engageable portions for holding said jaw elements in door latched position, and outer manually operable means mounted detent engageable portions,

on said support for pivotally actuating said detent means to disengage the same from said detent engageable portions to permit movement of both jaw elements to door unlatched position.

4. In a latch mechanism for a swinging door, a support having a main plate portion for disposition at the free edge wall of the door, a pair of jaw elements pivotally mounted on one side of said plate portion for swinging movement about spaced axes perpendicular to the plane thereof, a pair of control members mounted on the opposite side of said plate portion, each control member being fixedly coupled to one of said jaw elements for pivotal movement therewith, said control members having intermeshed portions whereby said jaw elements are controlled for movement in unison toward and from each other to door latched and door unlatched positions, respectively, said jaw elements being swingable toward each other into door latched position upon engagement of either one or both with a keeper device to thereby grip said keeper device therebetween, the longitudinal axes of said jaw elements when in keeper device gripping position lying substantially on a line passing through said spaced axes, at least one of said control members being provided with detent engageable portions, detent means pivotally mounted on said plate portion and engageable with said detent engageable portions for holding said jaw elements in door latched position, biasing means reacting against at least one of said control members etfective to urge said jaw elements toward door unlatched position upon disengagement of said detent means therefrom, and outer manually operable means mounted on said-support for pivotally actuating said detent means to disengage the same from said detent engageable portions to permit movement of both jaw elements to door unlatched position.

5. In a latch mechanism for a swinging door, a support having a main plate portion for disposition at the free edge wall of the door, a pair of jaw elements pivotally mounted on one side of said plate portion for swinging movement about spaced axes perpendicular to the plane thereof, a pair of control members mounted on the opposite side of said plate portion, each control member being connected to one of said jaw elements for pivotal movement therewith, said control members having intermeshed portions whereby said jaw elements are controlled for movement in unison toward and from each other to door latched and door unlatched positions, respectively, at least one of said control members being provided with detent means pivotally mounted on said plate portion and engageable with said detent engageable portions for holding said jaw elements in door latched position, inner and outer manually operable means mounted on said support for pivotally actuating said detent means to disengage the same from said detentnengaging portions to permit movement of both jaw elements to door unlatched position, blocking means on said support positionable to simultaneously block actuation of both said inner and outer manually operable means, and manually operable means for moving said blocking means into and out of blocking position.

6. In a latch mechanism for a swinging door, a support having a main plate portion for disposition at the free edge wall of the door, a pair of latch devices pivotally mounted on said plate portion for swinging movement about spaced axes perpendicular to the plane thereof,

each latch device comprising a jaw element positioned adjacent one face of said plate portion, a control plate positioned adjacent the other face of said plate portion, and a pivot means passing through said plate portion and fixedly couplingsaid jaw element-to said control plate, means interlocking said latch devices for movements in unison between door unlatched and door latched positions, detent means pivotally.v mounted on said plate portion and engageable with one of said control plates for holdingboth latch devices in door latched position,

outer manually operable means, mounted on said plate portion for pivotally actuating said detent means to disengage the same from said one control'vplate to permit movement of both latch devices to door unlatched position,- blocking means mounted on said support positionable to block actuation of said outer manuallyoperable means, and a transmitting member pivotally mounted on said support having a first part thereof interlocked with said detent means and a second part thereof in abutting relation to said blocking means when the latter is in locking position, said transmitting member being effective to transmit movement of the detent means to' the blocking member to move the latter to non-blocking position if in blocking position when said latch devices are in door unlatched position and said door is moved to door latched position.

-7. In combination, a latch mechanism mounted on the vertical free edge wall of a swinging door, said latch mechanism comprising a pair of latch devices pivotally mounted for swinging movement about spaced parallel axes from a door unlatched to a door latched position, said latch devices comprising jaw members provided with curved engaging surfaces, and a keeper device mounted on a vertical face of a body pillar to which said free edge wall is latchable, said keeper device comprising a member peripherally gripped by the curved engaging surfaces of said jaw members when said latch devices are in door latched position, the longitudinal axes of said jaw elements when in door latched position lying substantially on a line passing through said spaced axes, the latching span of said jaw members between said engaging surfaces being less than the span of said peripherally gripped member at the area of engagement therewith, and means resiliently mounting at least one of said members permitting substantial equalization of said spans, said resilient means being effective to bias said members into tight gripping engagement.

'8. In combination, a latch mechanism mounted on the vertical free edge wall of a swinging door, said latch mechanism comprising a pair of latch devices pivotally mounted for swinging movement about spaced parallel ares from a door unlatched to a door latched position, said latch devices comprising jaw members provided with semi-circular engaging surfaces, and a keeper device mounted on a vertical face of a body pillar to which said free edge wall is latchable, said keeper device comprising a substantially cylindrical member adapted to be gripped by the semi-circular engaging surfaces of said jaw members when in door'latched position, the longitudinal axes of said jaw elements when in door latched position lying substantially on a line passing through said spaced axes and the center of said cylindrical member engaged between said semi-circular engaging surfaces, the latching span of said jaw members between their engaging surfaces being less than the span of said cylindricalmember at the area of engagement therewith, and means resiliently mounting at least one of said members permitting substantial equalization of said spans,-said resilientmeans being effective to bias said member into tight gripping engagement.

- 9. In combination, a latch mechanism mounted on the ertical free edge wall of a swinging door, said latch mechanism comprising a pair of interlocked latch devices pivotally mounted for swinging movement about spaced parallel axes from a door unlatched to a door latched position, said latch devices comprising jaw members provided with curved engaging surfaces, said, jaw members being swingable toward and from'each other into and out ofdoor latched position, and a keeper device mounted on a vertical face of a body pillar to which said free edge wall is latchable, said keeper device comprising a memdoor is moved from an-open-to a closed positionand to ,heperipherallyigripped between said curved engaging surfaces upon said jaw elements being moved in unison into door latched position, the longitudinal axes of said jaw elements when in door latched position lying substantially on a line passing through said spaced axes, the latching span of said jaw members between said engaging surfaces being less than the span of said peripherallygripped member at the area of engagement therewith, and means resiliently mounting at least one of said members permitting substantial equalization of said spans, said resilient means being eifective to bias said members into tight gripping engagement.

10. In combination, a latch mechanism mounted on the vertical free edge wall of a swinging door, said latch mechanism comprising a pair of latch devices pivotally mounted for swinging movement about spaced parallel axes from a door unlatched to a door latched position, said latch devices comprising jaw members provided with curved engaging surfaces, and a keeper device mounted on a vertical face of a body pillar to which said free edge wall is latchable, said keeper device comprising a member peripherally gripped by the curved engaging surfaces of said jaw members when said latch devices are in door latched position, the longitudinal axes of said jaw elements when in door latched position lying substantially on a line passing through said spaced axes, the latching span of said jaw members between said engaging surfaces being less than the span of said peripherally gripped member at the area of engagement therewith, and means resiliently mounting said jaw members permitting the span between said curved engaging surfaces to increase to accommodate said peripherally gripped member while biasing said jaw members into tight gripping engagement therewith.

11. In combination, a latch mechanism mounted on the vertical free edge wall of a swinging door, said latch mechanism comprising a pair of latch devices pivotally mounted for swinging movement about spaced parallel axes from a door unlatched to a door latched position, said latch devices comprising jaw members provided with semi-circular engaging surfaces, and a keeper device mounted on a vertical face of a body pillar to which said free edge wall is latchable, said keeper device comprising a substantially cylindrical member adapted to be gripped by the semi-circular engaging surfaces of said jaw members when in door latched position, the longitudinal axes of said jaw elements when in door latched position lying substantially on a line passing through said spaced axes and the center of said cylindrical member, the latching span of said jaw members between their engaging surfaces being less than the span of said cylindrical member at the area of engagement therewith, said cylin drical member comprising a split sleeve means, and means resiliently mounting said split sleeve means permitting compression of the span thereof when gripped by said jaw members, said resilient means being elfective'to bias said members into tight gripping engagement. V

'12. In combination, a latch mechanism mounted on the vertical free edge wall of a swinging door, said latch mechanism comprising a pair of latch devices pivotally mounted for swinging movement about spaced parallel axes from a door unlatched to a door latched position,

said'latch devices comprising jaw members providedwith semi-circular engaging surfaces, and a keeper device mounted on a vertical face of a body pillar to which said free edge wall is latchable, said keeper device comprising of said jaw elements when in door latched position lying substantially on a line passing through said spaced axes and the center of said cylindrical member, the latching 13 of the span thereof when gripped by said jaw member, said resilient means being effective to bias said members into tight gripping engagement, and means maintaining said split sleeve means in a' pre-determined position on said keeper device.

13. In combination, a latch mechanism mounted on the vertical free edge wall of a swinging door, said latch mechanism comprising a pair of latch devices pivotally mounted for swinging movement about spaced parallel axes from a door unlatched to a door latched position, said latch devices comprising jaw members provided with curved engaging surfaces, and a keeper device mounted on a vertical face of a body pillar to which said free edge wall is latchable, said keeper device comprising a member peripherally gripped by the curved engaging surfaces of said jaw members when said latch devices are in door latched position, the longitudinal axes of said jaw elements when in door latched position lying substantially on a line passing through said spaced axes and the center of said cylindrical member, the latching span of said jaw members between said engaging surfaces being less than the span of said peripherally gripped member at the area of engagement therewith, and means resiliently mounting at least one of said members permitting substantial equalization of said spans, said resilient means being effective to bias said members into tight gripping engagement, said peripherally gripped member being provided with an enlarged head portion outboard of said area of engagement, said head portion preventing lateral disengagement of said jaw members from said peripherally gripped member in the event of the application of force tending to separate the free edge wall of the door from said body pillar in a direction longitudinally of the door.

14. In combination, a latch mechanism mounted on the vertical free edge wall of a swinging door, said latch mechanism comprising a pair of latch devices pivotally mounted for swinging movement about spaced parallel axes from a door unlatched to a door latched position, said latch devices comprising jaw members provided with semi-circular engaging surfaces, and a keeper device mounted on a vertical face of a body pillar to which said free edge Wall is latchable, said keeper device comprising a substantially cylindrical member adapted to be gripped by the semi-circular engaging surfaces of said jaw members when in door latched position, the longitudinal axes of said jaw elements when in door latched position lying substantially on a line passing through said spaced axes and the center of said cylindrical member, the latching span of said jaw members between their engaging surfaces being less than the span of said cylindrical member at the area of engagement therewith, and means resiliently mounting at least one of said members permitting substantial equalization of said spans, said resilient means being effective to bias said member into tight gripping engagement, said keeper device being provided with an enlarged retaining means outboard of said cylindrical member, said retaining means being effective to prevent disengagement of said jaw members from said cylindrical member in a direction laterally of their normal direction of engagement and disengagement.

15. In a latch mechanism for a swinging door, a support having a main plate portion for disposition at the free edge wall of the door, a pair of latch devices pivotally mounted on said plate portion for swinging movement about spaced axes perpendicular to the plane of said plate portion, each latch device comprising a jaw element positioned adjacent one face of said plate portion, a control plate positioned adjacent the other face of said jaw element, and a pivot means passing through said plate portion and fixedly coupling said jaw element to said control plate, means interlocking said control plates to provide for swinging movement of said latch devices in unison from door unlatched to door latched position and vice versa, said jaw elements when said latch devices are in door latched position being adapted to engage a keeper device therebetween, the longitudinal axes of said jaw elements when in door latched position lying substantially on a line passing through said spaced axes, detent means pivotally mounted on said plate portion engageable with at least one or" said control plates for holding said latch devices in door latched position, outer manually operable means mounted on said plate portion for pivotally actuating said detent means out of control plate engagement to permit movement of both latch devices to door unlatched position, blocking means mounted on said support positionable to block actuation of said outer manually operable means, and manually operable means on said support for moving said blocking means into and out of blocking position with respect to said outer manually operable means.

16. In a latch mechanism for a swinging door, a support having a main plate portion for disposition at the free edge wall of the door, a pair of latch devices pivotally mounted on said plate portion for swinging movement about spaced axes perpendicular to the plane of said plate portion, each latch device comprising a jaw element positioned adjacent one face of said plate portion, a control plate positioned adjacent the other face of said jaw element, and a pivot means passing through said plate portion and fixedly coupling said jaw element to said control plate, means interlocking said control plates to provide for swinging movement of said latch devices in unison from door unlatched to door latched position and vice versa, said jaw elements being provided with substantially semicircular recesses adapted when said latch devices are in door latched position to encompass a cylindrical keeper device therebetween, the longitudinal axes of said jaw elements when in door latched position lying substantially on a line passing through said spaced axes and the center of a cylindrical keeper device engaged therebetween, detent means pivotally mounted on said plate portion engageable with at least one of said control plates for holding said latch devices in door latched position, outer manually operable means mounted on said plate portion for pivotally actuating said detent means out of control plate engagement to permit movement of both latch devices to door unlatched position, blocking means mounted on said support positionable to block actuation of said outer manually operable means, and manually operable means on said support for moving said blocking means into and out of blocking position with respect to said outer manually operable means.

17. In combination, a latch mechanism mounted on the vertical free edge wall of a swinging door, said latch mechanism comprising a pair of latch devices pivotally mounted for swinging movement about spaced parallel axes from a door unlatched to a door latched position, said latch devices comprising jaw members provided with curved engaging surfaces, and a keeper device mounted on a vertical face of a body pillar to which said free edge wall is latchable, said keeper device comprising a member peripherally gripped by the curved engaging surfaces of said jaw members when said latch devices are in door latched position, the longitudinal axes of said jaw members when in door latched position lying substantially on a line passing through said spaced axes, said jaw members being momentarily swingable inwardly during door closing movement to a position beyond said door latched position, resilient means engageable thereby urging said jaw element outwardly toward said door latched position, the latching span of said jaw members between said engaging surfaces being less than the span of said peripherally gripped member at the area of engagement therewith, and means resiliently mounting at least one of said members permitting substantial equalization of said spans, said last mentioned resilient means being effective to bias said members into tight gripping engagement.

18. In combination, a latch mechanism mounted on the vertical free edge wall of a swinging door, said latch mechanism comprising a pair of latch devices pivotally mounted for swinging movement about spaced parallel axes from a .door unlatched to a door latched position, said latch devices comprising jaw members provided with semi-circular engaging surfaces, and a keeper device mounted on a vertical face of a body pillar to which a free edge wall is latchable, said keeper device comprising a substantially cylindrical member adapted to ,be gripped by the semi-circular engaging surfaces of said jaw members when in door latched position, the longitudinal axes of said jaw members when in door latched position lying substantially on a line passing through said spaced axes and the center of said cylindrical member engaged between said semi-circular engaging surfaces, said jaw members being momentarily swingable inwardly during door closing movement to a position beyond said door latched position, resilient means mounted on said body pillar vertical face engageable by said jaw members and urging the latter outwardly toward said door latched position, the latching span of said jaw members between their engaging surfaces being less than the span of said cylindrical member at the area of engagement therewith, and means resliently mounting at least one of said members permitting substantial equalization of said spans, said last mentioned resilient means being eifective to bias said member into tight gripping engagement.

1 9. A keeper adapted to be engaged between latch V mechanism members having in latched position a predetermined gripping span, said keeper comprising a cylindrical member, a bushing of resilient non-metallic material encompassing said cylindrical member, and a split '16 sleeve encompassing said, resilientbushing, said gripping span being of lesserdimension than said sleeve, said sleeve and resilient bushing being placed under compression by said-latch mechanism members'in latched position.

20. A keeper adapted to be engaged between opposed latch mechanism members having in latched position a predetermined gripping span, said keeper comprising a cylindrical member, a rubber bushing encompassing said cylindrical member, and a spring steel split sleeve encompassing said resilient bushing, said gripping span being of lesser dimension than said sleeve, said sleeve'and rub.- ber bushing being placed under compression by said latch mechanism members in latched position. 9

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 131,321 Wright Sept. 10, 1872 626,503 Oakley June 6, 1899 1,389,709 Subbe'r, f Sept. 6, 1921 2,151,181 Appen Mar. 21, 1939 2,259,766 Murphy I Oct. 21, 1941 2,458,751 'Voi'ght Jan. 11, 1949 2,646,299 Kramer July 21, 1953 2,782,062 Smith Feb. 19, 1957 2,814,193 Ro'ethel Nov. 26, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 477,135, Great Britain May 6, 1937 765,268 Great Britain Feb. 22, 1955 France May 20, 1953 

